Not allowed in Istanbul Metro

In public transport in Europe usually dogs are not allowed. In Istanbul cats, dogs, birds and reptiles are not welcomed as well.

Yildiz Moran

Istanbul Modern has the photo exhibition "People attract people". Photos from Yildiz Moran caught my attention. Yildiz Moran is the first turkish woman photographer. The only blog in English about her which I found is: Yildiz Moran

Her approach to photographing was: "Anything that is poetic can be the subject photography". It shows. Here are three photos from her Anatolian cycle.

Istanbul Modern

At the ticket desk I had to state where I am from.  I have dual nationality but is such situations I say I am from Croatia. Dutch travel more and I want that museum statistics show Croatians have interest in art too.
The lady at the ticket desk than greeted me with "Dobar dan". Turns out the lady is from Macedonia. She emigrated to Istanbul 15 years ago. There was tangible nostalgia in her voice about Macedonia. Just as I am nostalgic about the country in which I grew up but does not exist anymore. 

Remembrance

Mosque behind IM

Sunday outing

View

Enjoying a fabulous view so much loaded with the history.

Cooling

Golden retrieve from the compound cools in the pool.

Mashatan

Photos of a compound where is my temp accommodation.

Bosphorous

July 16th

From my 14th floor the morning peace and quite is surreal after last night events. The military base next to my compound remains quiate. I was to meet a friend from Moscow this morning. Truly looked forward to catch up with hime during his layover in istanbul from Hurgada. But friends flight was cancelled. Instead of flying to Moscow via Istanbul - Oleg would now do Middle East tour by flying Kairo-Dubai-Moscow. I saw some graphic picture of last night violence. Poor young conscripts got beaten by mob. They were only following orders. One young guy was beheaded at the bridge. Spoke with Nermin and some other colleagues. Spend day reading about the ooup. Went to the compound pool. On a way to the pool some kids were shouting "Istanbul! Erdogan!" Atmosphere around pool as at the luxury resort. People chatting, reading. Some drinking cocktails or beer. Kids jumping to the pool. Supermarket at the compound well stocked and not crowded. In the eying heard pro democracy protests.

July 15 evening

After one month in Istanbul and with lot's of work I do not have much of a social life. I was to spent Friday evening finishing "Romanov prorocanstvo". Easy and gripping novel about Russia. My phone started to vibrate from avalanche of smses. Nermin. "Are you at home" If you are do not go out. Something is happening. Sterted to look at the internet (my TV does not work). Found out at rt.com there is coup. Talked to Nermin. Called and sms some of my colleagues. Everyone from the team safe and well. How lucky! I spent night following internet and emailing with well wishing friends and strangers. I heard protesters well. Gunshots. At two am fighter jets flew over the compound I live. I thought they will land on the roof - they flew so close to the land. The guy from the mosque were constantly shouting something. The sound wave of few strong explosions felt up to my 14th floor.